Quote Originally Posted by Sfia View Post
Personally, I feel like none of these actually address the issue. BRD/MCH provide too much damage. saying they need to provide their own piercing debuff changes nothing, and you would STILL bring a bard and a machinist.They are too strong in their current form in terms of both offense AND defense. The same goes for ninja, trick attack needs significant changes, threat tools need to not be an exclusive utility. DRG also provides a lot, it's not on the same level of absurdity of NIN/BRD/MCH but it is very powerful and would still be desired even if ranged physical was very weak. Summoner is now approaching this level of strength as well with the recent buffs. And monk is not very far behind in terms of damage contribution while also being very strong in prog with fists/riddle of earth and mantra.

So we have 4 very strong jobs, and monk which depending on your composition can also be on this higher tier of contribution.
Saying that Fists/Riddle of Earth makes monk more survivable is outright false, it's just by and far the worse way of maintaining a buff in the game, especially when compared to spamming transpose and hitting Enochian to maintain Enochian and your Umbral Hearts. The only time it ever saw use this tier is Exfaust during The Decisive Battle. Plus, it can actively be detrimental, in Shinryu EX you're basically forced to get a vulnerability stack from his charge if you want to keep your stacks. Mantra's value is also extremely questionable, it only effects healing spells rather than abilities when the majority of the healing done is done in rapid bursts with abilities rather than spells.

Saying Monk is even comparable to the contribuation of MCH/BRD/NIN/DRG is also pretty laughable. Monk's damage contribution is relatively low for how weakly Brotherhood buffs the party.